Of the three areas crucial to the growth and development of Dainfern College, the most significant is our Community. Ongoing investment in talented learners and staff is crucial to the sustainability of a world- class independent school. It is also critical that we ensure that Dainfern College maintains and further develops vital community partnerships essential to our broader role in the Dainfern-Diepsloot area.

Since 1997, when Dainfern College first opened its doors, the school has been consistent in two central beliefs: firstly, that our school is a centre of excellence; and secondly, that it is our calling and privilege to enrich and engage with our broader community.

Dainfern College’s Social Investment Programme focuses on assisting disadvantaged children to get a better education so that they can build a better future for themselves and their families. We address this challenge in a focused manner, firstly through our Outreach Programme with the youth and schools in Diepsloot and secondly, by offering talented disadvantaged youth the opportunity either to be educated at Dainfern College High School or to work at the College as a Teacher Intern

Key Components addressed by our Social Investment Programme:

Focus on Education through the Learner Bursary Programme and our Teacher Internship Programme.

The Outreach Programme that sees our High School partnering with Diepsloot Combined School plus the Leap 4 School in Diepsloot as well as supporting two Cosmo City crèches.

The Feeding Scheme at Itirele-Zenzele High, ReShomile Primary and LEAP 4 schools – all in the Diepsloot area.

Strategic pupil involvement in structured outreach activities across the College

Education

An established Bursary Fund Programme: The College promotes the social diversity of its student body by allocating two full bursary awards per year to Grade 8 High School learners from disadvantaged backgrounds who display competitive academic, sporting, cultural or all-round talent but who do not have access to the facilities of the calibre offered by Dainfern College. Currently we have 10 students who are funded by the programme. Dainfern College Staff play a significant role in the Bursary Fund as they have elected to raise funds for it through a salary sacrifice.

My Journey

I’m so grateful to God for offering me the opportunity to spend what is this year 10 years at this amazing institution. My journey started when I was offered a sports bursary by Dainfern College with the help of Mr Murray Botha and Mr Dennis Tucker.

Having grown up in Alexandra Township, one of the most underprivileged communities in Gauteng and having gone to school there, being given an opportunity to be a pupil at a school like Dainfern College was never something I ever dreamt of. As a pupil I had an amazing and memorable 5 years. I was offered the opportunity of a quality education, personal and academic development, financial support and the opportunity to do what I love the most in this world and that is to play sport. As a pupil the relationships that I built with fellow students and teachers are what I hold most dear to my heart, because they made me feel loved and welcomed in a place that sometimes felt foreign to me. They gave me a new home and a sense of belonging.

At the end of my matric year, the school offered me an opportunity to pursue a teaching career by offering me an internship post to work as an intern teacher and pay for my studies of a Bachelors of Education Degree through UNISA. I’m so thankful for this opportunity because the job has helped me and my family financially, and will always stand me in good stead vocationally.

The transition from being a student to a teacher was not an easy one, but one that was certainly made comfortable by the amazing staff at the school. When you are a student you don’t truly realise the hard work, effort, dedication, and passion these teachers produce in the life of every single pupil. Having been fortunate enough to observe and learn from them, I see why they have the impact they have on the lives of so many current and former students. They have inspired me. In a country where there is still a lack of quality education, I feel blessed to work in this sector. Because I feel I can make a difference like them.

At the end of the year I finish my Bachelors of Education Degree. In the future I look forward to giving back to underprivileged communities like the one I come from, and I feel blessed that I can have an influence in shaping the lives of young boys and girls and be a role model that my teachers were (and still are) to me. I have a huge passion for working with young people, and I pray that I can contribute to their physical, psychological and spiritual development individually in the classroom or on the sports field.

The knowledge, skills, and values I’ve learnt from Dainfern College will no doubt guide me today and in my future. I’m truly grateful to the teachers who have had the biggest influence in my life. They have loved me, cared for me, and guided me unconditionally throughout my journey at the school. I’ve also made lifelong friendships with present and former pupils, and colleagues at the college. Mr Matthew Davies says “We are family”, and at Dainfern College I have many brothers and sisters. I praise the Lord for blessing me with this wonderful gift in my life. Romans 12:10

Lungi 21 July 2016

Feeding Scheme

This is your opportunity to be part of changing the life of a vulnerable child

The Dainfern College Feeding Scheme, run under the auspices of the Dainfern College Foundation, currently feeds 173 vulnerable children of Iterele-Zenzele School, 30 children from the LEAP School and 198 vulnerable children of Reshomile Primary School in Diepsloot. All the children registered on the feeding scheme are from previously disadvantaged communities and most rely on the feeding scheme as their sole source of food. We currently distribute one food parcel to each child every month but are targeting to raise sufficient funding to be in a position to feed each child twice a month, as these children are in desperate need of further assistance.

The Feeding Scheme is funded solely by donors to the scheme and 100% of the funds are used to finance food parcels that each child receives, with staple food items like maize meal, long-life milk and baked beans. One-time donations or monthly debits of any amount will help us achieve this goal. The Feeding Scheme is administered by Mrs Cheryl Coetzee with the assistance of parent volunteers. Our grateful thanks go to all of our Dainfern College parents and other donors who already contribute to the Feeding Scheme.

Outreach

Community relations and outreach are an integral part of a Dainfern College education and we are proud of what we achieve annually. How our young men and women discover their futures depends on the humanity of all the lessons we bring them. We intentionally expose our students and staff to people from different cultural backgrounds, religions, nationalities and races so that they develop insight, understanding and tolerance.

In the vital area of Social Responsibility, the Foundation supports key initiatives that will help us to increase the impact of our education facility on the world around us.

About Us

Dainfern College provides a South African education to young South Africans to enable them to live a full and rewarding life in South Africa.